FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
HARDY RUNNERS BRAVED BITING WINTER WINDS FOR A BLINGTASTIC MEDAL AT THE PORTSMOUTH COASTAL HALF-MARATHON
PORTSMOUTH HALF-MARATHON
WORDS: TINA CHANTREY
© ISTOCKPHOTO.COM / TINA CHANTREY
There’s only one word to describe this year’s Portsmouth Coastal Half: freezing! At points in the race I was transported to the times of Thomas Hardy, whose novels so cleverly described the bleak winters that could dominate the south of England. There must have been many frozen souls that have trudged along the winter foreshore over the centuries, but we were choosing to do it!
Getting to the event and parking in and around the Pyramids Centre was quick and simple. Baggage drop-off was easy and there were plenty of loos (if you’ve done this event before you know where to find the extra ones!). But the warm-up… the wind was biting, in temperatures just above freezing. Even in what felt like 10 layers, including a coat and a Buff (worn ninja style), a two-mile canter along the promenade to warm up didn’t do the job.